House Targets ‘Patent Trolls’ but Small Businesses Concerned

Many business groups praised the U.S. House of Representative’s passage of legislation aimed at lawsuits by so-called "patent trolls." But some fear the legitimate rights of small businesses could be trampled on as Congress rushes to protect companies from bad actors. In recent years, companies across the industry spectrum have found themselves settling patent claims simply because they cannot afford the litigation to fight them, says the sponsor of the legislation. But the National Small Business Association is concerned the bill could put undue burdens on individual inventors, technology startups and innovative small companies. Read more about the issue in the Memphis Business Journal.